Detectives are hunting the men who stormed the shop on the Cliftonville Road between 6.55am and 7.05am.

A woman was working in the shop at the time but she was not injured.

The group made off with cash, cigarettes, safe and a mobile phone.

Detective Sergeant Sean Armstrong said: "Sometime between 6.55am and 7.05am, three masked men entered the shop. One of the men was armed with a suspected firearm. The three men made off with a sum of money, a quantity of cigarettes, a safe and a mobile phone. A female staff member working in the shop was not injured in the incident.

"One of the men is described as being of heavy build and approximately 5'8" tall. The second man is described as being of slim build and about 6ft tall, while the third is described as being of medium build and approximately 5'8" tall.

"I would appeal to anyone with any information about this incident to contact CID at Musgrave Police Station on the non emergency number 101. Or if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details, they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111."